PEER TUTOR APPLICATION
Success/Tutorial Center
Dear Peer Tutor Applicant:
Thank you for your interest in working with the Success/Tutorial Center at West Valley College
(WVC). The college invests in Peer Tutors as valued members of the department(s) they serve, for
many go on to become credentialed teachers at all levels of education. Additionally, we aim to
“support students along their pathways to reach […] career goals,” and we believe strongly that
tutoring skills are relevant to a variety of careers, not just teachingby becoming a tutor, students
strengthen on-the-job skills, build a resume, and gain early entry into a potential career path.
Please remember that successful completion of Interdisciplinary Studies 40 (ISTU40):
Tutor Training is required before someone can submit an application. However, there is
no guarantee that you will be hired after passing ISTU40. To apply for a Peer Tutor position, please
submit this application (including the indicated attachments) and arrange for a WVC instructor to
complete your Faculty Recommendation Form(s); if you wish to tutor in a variety of subjects, a
separate referral will be needed from an instructor in each discipline.
Peer Tutors at West Valley currently earn $12.75/hour for their first semester, and get regular pay
increases in Fall and Spring that top out at $15.75/hour by the sixth semester of employment.
In order to apply to become a WC Peer Tutor, you must:
Have earned a “B” or better in all subjects you wish to tutor
1. Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better
2. Submit a Faculty Recommendation Form from a WVC instructor for every subject covered
3. Pass ISTU40: Tutor Training (0.5 unit)
4. Speak, write, and understand English fluently and clearly
5. Limit WVC work hours to 18 hours/week or less, no matter the number of positions/departments
6. Be eligible to work on campus
7. Register for a minimum of 6 units at WVC in any semester that you are employed as a Peer Tutor
(with some exceptions for summer).
If you meet all the requirements above and are passionate about helping others, please complete an
application form, including attachments, and submit it in person to the Success/Tutorial Center or via
email. If you have any questions, feel free to consult Jen Wagner at jennifer.wagner@westvalley.edu or
(408) 741-2615. After submitting your application, you are welcome to inquire about your status,
thought I typically get back to people within a week or two of submission.
Thank you for your interest in becoming a Peer Tutor at West Valley College.
Sincerely,
Jen Wagner
Success/Tutorial Center Coordinator
Peer Tutor Application
Success/Tutorial Center
West Valley College
Student: ________________________________ WVC I.D. # _____________________
Cell Phone: __________________Email: _____________________________________
During which semester did you take (and pass) ISTU40: Tutor Training?________________
If you have not taken ISTU40, are you applying as an “outside expert”? If yes, please list your
Bachelor’s (and Master’s) degree(s) here: _______________________________________
Attachments: The following items must be attached at the time of submission. Missing items will
disqualify an application.
Your complete unofficial WVC transcript with your full name pre-printed on it.
Your printed, typed, double-spaced resume or list of current and prior employers, addresses
(city and state), dates of employment, and duties.
Your printed, typed, double-spaced responses to the short answer questions below.
Short Answer Questions: please type, double-space, and print your answers to the following
questions on separate paper. Your responses will be rated on content and style. Maximum per
response: 200 words.
1. What interests you most about the Peer Tutor position? Why?
2. What do you believe the challenges of a Peer Tutor include? Why?
3. Describe previous experiences, including relevant classroom work or other work/extracurricular
activities, that relate to your ability to tutor.
4. What do you expect students to gain from a tutoring experience with a Peer Tutor? Why?
5. Describe your basic educational plan, including your major or primary area of interest, your
timeline, the career in which you hope to participate, and how you plan to reach these goals. (It is
ok to be a bit uncertain, but please be as clear as possible with where you are now, and what your
plans are for the future.)
6. List all of the courses for which you feel qualified to tutor and, if it’s the full range, state “All
{History, Biology, …} Classes.” Next to each, briefly explain (in 1-2 sentences) why you feel
qualified to tutor this subject, moving beyond your final course grade as an explanation.
Thank you for applying!
(Please see the next page for the Faculty Recommendation Form)
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Success/Tutorial Center
Faculty Recommendation
Dear Faculty Member: All prospective tutors for the Success/Tutorial Center at West Valley
College must have a Faculty Recommendation form on file before they can serve as a tutor.
Please complete this form and return via campus mail to Jen Wagner in LA/SS or the Library.
Questions? Call 408-741-2615. Thank you!
I, ______________________________________________________,
recommend _______________________________________________ ,
to tutor the following courses:
I have spoken with this student and, in my opinion, s/he is qualified to tutor these courses
through Tutorial Services. I understand that, to serve as a tutor, s/he must have a grade of
“B” or higher in the above mentioned courses. I also believe that the student has the
communication skills necessary to explain the information clearly to others.
Instructor’s signature: Date:
Department:
Comments (please include any of the student’s strengths, areas needing
improvement, and/or other relevant information below, on the back of this page,
and/or in a private email to jennifer.wagner@westvalley.edu):